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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Truman State University

Kirksville, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $16,569/yr (-44% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)

ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #94 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$343K	$364K	$373K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.1x	9.6x	9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.8x	5.1x	5.2x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	42%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	20	19	17

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,880

Out-of-state: $71,480 (5.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$48,120

-27% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,000

18.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $16,569 place Truman State University below the $29,653 national median for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.6x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies's typical career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 against $16,569/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.6 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #94 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs, Truman State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Truman State University

Truman State University accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,666 students in Kirksville, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Truman State University →

Top Career Paths

Technical writers $91,670/yr

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr

View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Truman State University?

A score of 19/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Truman State University worth the student debt?

Median debt of $26,000 against $16,569/yr starting salary means roughly 1.6 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

Will AI replace Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies careers?

With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $372,869 in decade earnings vs $343,240 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies from Truman State University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →